Help been caught shoplifting

[Stupid1985]

Tonight I went to get the kids some bits from ASDA,



I’d finished work my husband picked me up and I realised I’d left my card at home



I walked out with the clothes and the security guard caught me



I ran to the car

my husband and kids were there



I gave the security guard the items

he took down my husbands registration number



I’m so worried

my husband isn’t speaking to me because he can’t understand why I did this, I don’t know why I did this.



Should i I expect the police



I’m so worried

I feel so guilty and will never do it again



I work in retail and hate shoplifting and tonight I’ve done this.



If anyone has any advice please help

[Amethyst]

We all have lapses, don't beat yourself up too much - I'm not sure if they can get your details through the car registration ( des8 ) though I believe they'd have to give the details on to the police for them to do so - they did get the items back from you in, presumably, undamaged resaleable condition so there is no loss to them - you had a moment of madness that's all - you could have been going to the car to get your forgotten card and panicked when the security guard came after you, absent mindedness rather than criminal intention. If they can get an address through the car reg then you may receive civil recovery demands for monies which can be ignored - but if you are contacted by the police don't ignore that - and always avail yourself of the duty or your own solicitor if you are invited to an interview at all.

Try not to worry, what's done is done and all you can do now is wait and see what, if anything, happens about it xxx

[Stupid1985]

Hi thanks for hi thanks for that, I’m so worried the security guard didn’t take any of my details just the car registration which is my husbands he is still fuming with me and can’t understand why I did what I did

[des8]

The important thing is to get hubby to calm down and see this in its proper perspective.
At this time of stress you need support, and deterioration in the atmosphere at home will impinge on the children.

This was a mistake involving goods worth £? (minimal amount?) which were recovered in tact by Asda.
Not the crime of the century, and it would not qualify you for joining the Kray gangs
It is hardly worth their while reporting it to the police, as their admin costs might well be higher than the value of the not lost goods

If Asda insist, the police could well trace you via your husband's registration details.
In that event if the police wish to interview you, only agree to do so in the presence of the duty solicitor as Amethyst
This is your right to ensure the rules are not transgressed and you do not incriminate yourself unnecessarily.

If you are interviewed by the police the likely outcomes (in no particular order) are
1) no further action
2) a caution
3) a fixed penalty of £85
4) the chance to explain yourself to Asda and apologise by way of a letter..
You would need to consider the implications of what they may offer before accepting.